The Coqui will be our 1st Matching Family tattoo and Our 1st tattoo ever. Where should I place my 1st tattoo? Back or front of shoulder or thigh?

[meetkitty123]

My children and I took a vacation for healing and grieving. My husband, their father passed away a month ago in June. To honor him we returned to our favorite vacation spots; Puerto Rico and took his ashes along with us in special urn jewelry.

While here to strengthen our bonds and to remember the amazing times we had in Puerto Rico with my husband we are doing our first tattoos and they’re going to be matching. My son has helped in choosing the design but won’t be doing his until he’s of age. My children and I are Arawak Taínos long lost relatives and descendants of the Lokoko tribes.

In other words: Puerto Rican with Native American heritage. We want to honor our heritage, the memories we have had here as a family and our bond. So we have chosen a Taino symbol for the native endangered tree frog the Coqui.

The song of the Coqui can be heard throughout the island and is a staple of our pride, community and heritage.

Now my daughter has gone first. She has chosen to place hers on her thigh.

My son says he would do his inner forearm.

A few people have said I should do either my the back or front of my shoulder. My daughter says the back of my shoulder or my thigh.

I do like all three however on the thigh it would only be noticeable wearing shorts, a bathing suit or if I’m in my underwear. I would have limited occasions to show it off.

I like the shoulder near my scars from an operation accident I was lucky to survive. I adore my shoulder scars and I think of them as my battle scares. They are a reminder that I’m a survivor. it comes down to Whether I choose the front or the back if I go with the shoulder.

the the back and the front both make me feel, sexy, and strong. my concern is that there may not be enough space in the front area to make the image wide and after talking with The tattoo artist, she would actually recommend making it smaller. I feel it would lose some of its sense of strength.

So I make this poll.

Back Of my Sexy Shoulder (On my shoulder near my prideful truck accident survivor-scars)

Thigh (standing side-by-side to my daughter would face her tattoo she placed on her thigh)

On the front of my kissable shoulder (near my prideful accident survivor scars)

I can’t decide but I leave a reply.

[SamIam96]

In the heat of this emotional time it's easy to understand you wanting to strengthen your family bonds and commemorate your husband's memory.

But please don't deface your bodies with tattoos. They're unattractive and years from now you will regret having gotten them. If you must do it, choose a place that only you and your family know about. Certainly nothing publicly visible.

[SamIam96]

Thank you for the MHO.

Did you get the tattoo?

[Still-alive]

Wow so sorry to hear about your husband.

im thinking your thigh.

[Still-alive]

Feel free to dm me if you need to

[meetkitty123]

Thank you!
It has been a rough month for sure at times I feel lost

As for the tattoo The thigh looks cute ☺️ I’m just sad it would be more hidden unless I’m wearing short shorts even then it would be slightly hidden

[Still-alive]

I guess i like the idea of it being next to the tattoo of your daughter. :)

But yeah my dms are always open to you if you need. :)

[Paige2006]

Neither... I don't like tatoos.

[Bklynbadboy12]

Back of your shoulder would look super cute and I'm soooooo sorry for your loss thank god you can lean on each other to get through this. 😔😔😔😔😔

[Bklynbadboy12]

Have you decided where you gonna put it yet?

[meetkitty123]

Leaning towards back of shoulder 🙂

[Bklynbadboy12]

Thats gonna look sexy but sophisticated and I think thats the look your going for right

[meetkitty123]

Yes and I forgot to mention in the post it’s going to be in brown ink to look like a birthmark

[Bklynbadboy12]

Thats gonna look absolutely amazing message me when you get a chance ok

[msc545]

Don't place it anywhere. Tattoos, particularly on women, look cheap and trashy.

[meetkitty123]

Well I can understand how certain markings wouldn’t make sense and could look ridiculous. I however have taken a lifetime considering mine. Nearly 40 years without a mark…

[meetkitty123]

Heritage isn’t trashy. To create permanent markings on the skin, the Taínos would make shallow, strategic cuts in the skin using sharp pieces of obsidian, shell, or stone. They would then rub natural plant ash or charcoal into the open cuts. When the skin healed, it left behind permanent, dark, raised geometric scars that formed beautiful patterns. The Sacred "Jagua" Juice: For black and deep blue semi-permanent designs, they used the juice of the Jagua fruit (Genipa americana), which is native to Puerto Rico. When the clear fruit juice oxidizes on human skin, it stains the skin a rich, blue-black color that cannot be washed off and lasts for about two weeks until the skin naturally exfoliates. Bija for Protection: For vibrant red designs, they used Bija (achiote/annatto). This red paste was smeared all over the body, acting as a spiritual shield against evil spirits (Juracán) and a highly practical, natural repellent against mosquitoes and the intense Caribbean sun.

[meetkitty123]

For the taínos or the Arawak people body markings were never just for decoration. They were sacred markers used for:Lineage and Status: The patterns instantly told others your rank, your family lineage, and which yucayeque (village) you belonged to. Spiritual Protection: Warriors and women wore specific geometric petroglyph symbols—like the sun (Sol de Jayuya), the water, or the wrapping curves of the coquí—to invoke the protection of the cemís (gods/spirits).

[Jamie05rhs]

I am very sorry to hear of your loss, Kitty!

[meetkitty123]

Thank you 😔
Im hanging in there though at least trying to

[Jamie05rhs]

.🤍.

[ChicoFromThe305]

Back I on one shoulder tho, like back shoulder

[NathanDavis]

same as your kids... so they really match